Introduction Lead is a toxic heavy metal with hematotoxic, neurotoxic, and nephrotoxic effects even at low concentration. Presence of heavy metals like lead in the blood and blood products while donating blood can cause adverse effects to the recipients. Methodology In this study, we have selected 130 volunteers from the donors list obtained from Yenepoya hospital and also from in and around Mangalore. Questionnaires was given to the volunteers to get information on smoking, passive smoking at home or at the work place, duration of smoking, occupation and health status. Whole blood samples were subjected to Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) and results were obtained. Results Lead content in smokers were found to be 2–3 times higher compared to non-smokers but were in below toxic range (~5 ppm). Conclusion There are no present protocol to screen for heavy metals like lead in the blood banks. Our findings implicate the need to screen for heavy metals while transfusing blood to elderly people, neonates and infants and avoid transfusion of blood and blood products if the lead levels are in toxic range.

Keywords: atomic absorption spectrometer, blood donor, lead, smoker

How to cite this article:Haneena F, Muhammed Rashid C, Hashim A. Estimation of lead in blood donors of Dakshina Kannada population in relation to smoking. Egypt J Intern Med 2018;30:212-6

Smoking tobacco is one of the common substance abuse worldwide and it is increasing in number day by day. Smoking cigarettes is one of the main causes for hypertension, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and cardiovascular disease, which constitutes a major cause for mortality and morbidity. Lead (Pb) is a component of tobacco and tobacco products. It is a toxic heavy metal with hematotoxic, neurotoxic, and nephrotoxic effects even at low concentration. In infants and children it affects the learning abilities, and causes attention deficit disorder, aggressive and violent behaviour, hearing loss, convulsions, and mental retardation. In adults it may cause hypertension, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, tremor, headache, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, muscle, nephropathy, lead colic, and anemia. Lead enters the body through inhalation, swallowing, or absorbing lead particles. Once lead enters the body it is stored in the bones, blood, and tissues. The half-life of lead in blood is 28 days [Centre for Disease Control (CDC)] and in bones it is ∼20 years. Smoking 20 cigarettes per day has been estimated to result in the inhalation of 1–5 μg Pb [1],[2].

An analysis of blood samples collected from across the country has revealed that over 23% of the total samples tested positive with lead poisoning. So the selection of healthy donors is of significant importance from both a clinical and public health perspective. As there are significant number of donors who are tobacco smokers, it is difficult to exclude them from donating blood. Current guidelines on blood donation have focused on a number of factors that include infectious diseases, medical conditions, sexual preferences, and health-related behaviours, however, smoking is not mentioned. The measurements reported in the current paper revealed that in the smokers the blood concentration of Pb is higher than in their nonsmoking counterparts. By comparing Pb levels between the smoking and nonsmoking participants of our study, it is clearly evident that cigarette smoking creates an important source of chronic intoxication with these toxic metal. The half-life of lead in blood is 28 days (as per CDC guidelines), therefore to ensure safety while donating blood, smokers can be advised to stop smoking for a month before donating blood. Blood bank should screen the blood for heavy metals, such as lead while donating for neonates and infants as lead has more adverse effects even at lower levels in children than in adults.

Participants and methods

The study was conducted between the months of August 2017 to February 2018. An ethical clearance certificate was obtained from the Yenepoya University Ethics Committee, Mangalore, Karnataka to do work on human blood. So, 130 volunteers (65 smokers and 65 nonsmoker) from in and around Mangalore have been included in the study. The list of volunteers are obtained from the donors list available at the Yenepoya Medical College Hospital blood bank. The participants were contacted on telephone and were requested to come to the blood bank, Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Mangalore for screening of the blood for lead. Informed consent was first taken from the participants by the PI or the Co PI. Semistructured questionnaire were given to the participants by the PI or Co PI and the responses were noted. Each participant was asked about the information on smoking, passive smoking at home or at the work place, occupation, and health status. Blood samples of 5 ml were collected by venepuncture (antecubital vein) using disposable syringes and needles and standard aseptic precaution. EDTA (1.5 mg/ml of blood) was used as an anticoagulant. It was a single blind study and the samples were coded. Only the principal investigator had the access to original data. Blood samples were immediately transferred to the RHCDC, Yenepoya Medical College Hospital and Sparsha Diagnostics Bendoor well, Mangalore on the same day; and stored between 4–7°C until the samples were taken for analysis. Samples were thawed prior to analysis, coagulation was prevented by this procedure. Collected samples were sent outside the institute (NITK Surathkal) for further analysis. All the samples were tested for lead using atomic absorption spectrometer. All these procedures were carried out under strict quality control conditions to avoid any contaminations. Special personal care was taken while handling the biological samples to prevent infection. Samples were destroyed after the study.

Statistical analysis

All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software package (IBM SPSS statistics for Windows, version 22.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, USA). Descriptive statistics of median and interquartile range were calculated. Mann–Whitney test was used to determine statistical significant difference in lead between smokers and nonsmokers. The duration of smoking was correlated with lead in smokers. P less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Analysis of questionnaire

To avoid confusion at the time of blood draw the volunteers were given a questionnaire prior to the procedure. Study variables included profession, place of living (urban/rural), smoking, and blood donation to identify potential factors related to serum Pb levels, and which aided in the analysis and interpretation of the results.

A semistructured questionnaire was prepared, including form and pertinence in relation to the objectives, with closed and open questions. All the interviews and blood collection were done from February 2018.

After appropriately coding the variables, a databank was prepared containing a dictionary with these codes and two additional spreadsheets with the first and second keying-in of the data. Validation consisted of a comparison of these two spreadsheets to check for inconsistences during feeding of the databank. The means of the serum Pb values were added to this databank, allowing cross-analysis of the information and appropriate statistical analyses

Results

The Pb concentration in the blood of smokers versus nonsmokers is presented in [Table 1] and [Table 2]. The blood Pb levels in smokers were higher by 1.21400 ppm compared to the nonsmokers, that is, 0.40100 ppm among the cigarette smokers.

There is a statistically significant correlation in Pb concentration in the blood of smokers and nonsmokers. There was no correlation between the duration of smoking and lead level (ρ=0.003, P=0.982).

Analysis of the questionnaire

Response received from the participants for the number of cigarettes smoked by them showed 79% smoked at least one every day.

Out of 65 participants 48 had smoked on the day of sample collection

Discussion

Lead is a class 2B carcinogen and toxic to human, affecting the nervous system and neurodevelopment, particularly in children. Tobacco smoking is the world’s most popular method of drug abuse. Smokers are indeed eligible to donate their blood, but there are certain risk factors present in such transfusion due to the presence of heavy metals. Blood donation is one of the most valuable contribution that a person can make towards the society. Blood transfusion is a critical part of neonatal intensive care and is life saving for neonates with severe anaemia and haemorrhage. Donors’ blood is usually screened for some risk factors, such as hepatitis, HIV, and malarial parasite. It is not routinely screened for heavy metals, although its adverse effect on the human body is proved by a number of studies.

The current study provides data on the lead content in 130 blood samples obtained from the volunteers in and around Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Questionnaire and blood collection was done on the same day. Study variables included profession, place of living (urban/rural), smoking, and blood donation to identify potential factors related to serum Pb (lead) level. The levels of lead showed no difference in the participant’s profession and place of living. Our study showed that 79% of the participants smoked at least one cigarette every day, and out of 65 participants 48 had smoked on the day of sample collection ([Figure 1] and [Figure 2]). There was no correlation between duration of smoking and lead level ([Table 3]).

The mean Pb level in blood samples of the nonsmokers was found to be 0.40100 ppm. Concentration in the nonsmokers was within the range of values reported by other authors [3],[4],[5] ([Table 2]).

The blood Pb levels in smokers was higher by 1.21400 ppm compared to the nonsmokers, that is, Pb levels is almost two to three times higher in smokers but it is within the normal range (5 ppm) as suggested by CDC ([Table 1] and [Table 2]).

Higher whole blood lead level of 10 µg/dl was also reported from previous studies [6]. Such samples have an additional risk if it used in infants for blood replacement. Heavy metal concentrations in donor’s blood, which was designated for neonatal transfusion, was examined and it was found that some of the heavy metals including lead exceeded the estimated upper limit [7]. In a study of the lead exposure from blood transfusions in premature infants, it was found that blood products, such as packed red blood cells could actually double the lead concentration of the blood unit [8]. Male smokers have on an average slightly higher PbB-levels than male nonsmokers [9]. High levels of PbB were also reported in the blood of 60–65 year-old residents of Cologne and two small cities near Cologne [10]. and in Dutch urban women ranged from 40 to 240 ppb [11]. Smoking of 20 cigarettes a day has been estimated to result in the inhalation of 1–5 µg Pb. The WHO estimates that 2–6% of Pb in cigarettes is inhaled by the smoker [1].

Conclusion

Blood transfusion is a life saving event. The selection of healthy donors is of significant importance, especially while transfusing blood to neonates and infants. Recipients of blood products are at risk of exposure to lead as there is no present protocol to screen for heavy metals in the blood banks. It is difficult to exclude smokers from donating blood, however our findings implicate the need to screen for heavy metals while transfusing blood to elderly people, neonates, and infants and avoid transfusion of blood and blood products if the lead levels are in toxic range (i.e. ∼5 ppm).

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